Eligibility

You may qualify for CalFresh if you said yes to all the following questions 
  1. Student must be between 18 - 49 years old AND 
  2. Are you currently enrolled in 6 units or more AND 
  3. Be a U.S. Citizen, legal permanent resident, U-Visa or T-Visa holder, VAWA applicant, or refugee, parole, or asylum designee
  4. Meet household and monthly gross max income limits (reference table below) AND
  5. Must also meet one of the following qualifications listed below: 

QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Do you work an at least 20 hours per week OR a total of 80 hours a month?
  • Were you awarded or are eligible for federal work-study in your 22-23 financial aid award (it is okay if you have not accepted or began using your funds)?
  • Were you awarded Cal Grant A OR B in your 22-23 financial aid award?
  • Do you have an Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) of $0?
  • Are you currently employed on campus?
  • Are you part of the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP)?
  • Are you participating in a Local Education Program that Increases Employability (LPIE). In other words, are you part of a major or program that requires you to complete an internship, fieldwork experience, student teaching, clinical hours in order to graduate. Click here to see if your major or program is listed
  • Are you exerting parental control over a dependent household member under the age of 6 OR between the age of 6 and 12 with no adequate childcare (as determined by the county on a case-by-case basis)?
  • Are you a single parent of a dependent household member under the age of 12 AND enrolled full-time (12+ units)
  • Are you participating in the CalFresh Employment and Training Program (CFET) or be a recipient of CalWorks , AFDC (Aid to Families with Dependent Children), or GROW (General Relief Opportunities for Work)

**Household Size and Maximum Income Limits to Qualify**

Income limits Effective October 1, 2022 to September 30, 2022

  • The amount of CalFresh benefits depends on the household size, income, and expenses.
  • The less income a household receives, the more CalFresh benefits a household can receive
  • Need more information on how to determine monthly gross income or household size, please take a look at Determine Monthly Gross Income and Determine Household Size section

Income Chart

People in Household Gross Monthly Income* Maximum CalFresh Allotment**
1 $2,266 $281
2 $3,052 $516
3 $3,840 $740
4 $4,626 $939
5 $5,412 $1,116
6 $6,200 $1,339
7 $6,986 $1,480
8 $7,772 $1,691
Each Additional Member +$788 +$211
Household = a person living alone or a group of people living together (they do not have to be related) who buy food and make meals together. **Minimum amount is $16/month

The following are considered sources of income. You must add all of them when determining your total monthly gross income (before taxes)

 

*Reference the Household Size and Maximum Income Limit Chart to determine your household size, max monthly gross income, and maximum CalFresh benefits you may be eligible for under Am I Eligible for CalFresh?

  • Income from a job were you receive weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly paystubs
  • Paid internships or volunteer opportunities
  • Self-employment work such as freelance, independent contractor, or self-employment work (Ex. Uber, Lyft, Doordash, run your own business, online store, dog walker)
  • Unemployment benefits
  • Social Security retirement (SSA)
  • Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
  • State Disability Insurance (SDI)
  • Child support
  • Alimony
  • Military Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH)
  • Veteran’s Administration (VA) benefits
  • Worker’s compensation
  • Pensions or other retirement
  • Monthly cash from family or friends

Household is defined as a person living alone or a group of people living together (they do not have to be related) who buy food and make meals together.
You may apply on your own if...
  • You are 18 and over, living on your own
  • You are 18 and over, living with roommates whom you do not buy food and make meals with
  • You are 18 and over, living on campus AND have the 10 meals per week meal plan (if you have 11 meas or more per week, you are not eligible to apply)
  • You are 22 and over, living at home, AND you do not buy food and make meals with others living in your home

You must apply with everyone in your household if...

  • You are 18-22, living at home
  • You are 22 and over, living at home and you buy food and make meals with others living in your home
  • Reference our income table under Am I Eligible for CalFresh section
    • To determine household size, count the number of people in your home
    • To determine the max income limit for your household size, determine who works in your home and add their gross income (before taxes) to see if you meet the max gross monthly income limits for your household
      • If you are under the max gross monthly income, you may be eligible for CalFresh
      • If you are over the max gross monthly income, you may not be eligible for CalFresh